Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 11/7/2006

Question
So to give your life to Jesus, meaning to never marry and to live alone never having children, because you have given your life to Jesus, and spending your life in poverty helping those among us who need help the most, this does not get you into Heaven?  Mother Teresa totally wasted her time if her goal was to get to Heaven, instead she should have just asked your advice because you know better then her?  She gave all of her being to faith and love but she is going to hell, is this what you are saying?
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Do you think Mother Teresa is in Heaven or Hell?
-----Answer-----
Hi Anthony,

Thank you for your question.

I never had a chance to meet Mother Teresa so it is impossible for me to make an educated answer to this interesting question.  If by this question you mean was Mother Teresa's alms deeds enough to earn her a spot in Heaven.... the answer is no.  If the church declares her to be a saint would that be enough... no.

If one could merit heaven by doing good works, then Jesus died for nothing.

Galatians 2:21
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Romans 3:20
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

If she came to the point where she was willing to quit trusting in her works, and trust in Jesus' finished work on the cross alone to save her... then she is in Heaven.

Acts 16:30-31
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Hebrews 6:1

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,  
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.  If you have a chance, please help me by rating this answer.  I am very sorry for my tardy response.

In Christ
Pastor Don

Answer
Hi Anthony,

THank you for this chance to follow up.  

Mother Teresa totally wasted her time if her goal was to get to Heaven, instead she should have just asked your advice because you know better then her?  She gave all of her being to faith and love but she is going to hell, is this what you are saying?


No that is not what I am saying.  I told you that I never met her.  I have no idea what she was trusting in to get to heaven.  One could do good things and trust in Christ alone to get to heaven, then they are going to heaven, not because they do good, but because they have trusted in the only hope that anyone has to get to heaven, Jesus Christ.  THe Paostle Paul spoke of devout Jews who were very religious, but they had something missing:


Romans 10:1-4


Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I in no way want to try and judge whether or not Mother Teresa went to heaven or hell because I have no way to tell what she was trusting in to get to heaven.

I hope that this clears things up a bit.

In Christ
Pastor Don